ePoster
Presentation Description
Institution: St Vincent’s Hospital - NSW, Australia
Methods: Patients from a metropolitan teaching hospital; St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, Australia were recruited via consecutive sampling from oncology clinics using anonymous paper-based questionnaires between November 2020 & November 2021.
Results: Of 272 respondents (84% response rate), the principal source of information about cannabis was the internet and media (35%). 15% of respondents acquired information from their doctors. Among the self-identified cannabis users (n = 32, 12%) (who reported cannabis use in the previous month or at least monthly), the most common reason for cannabis use was to improve mental capacity or resilience (56%). The majority of cannabis users perceived cannabis as natural (97%) and safe (90%). 44% of the reported cannabis users did not inform their oncologists of their use. Among non-cannabis users (n = 240, 88%), 66% were interested in cannabis use. The primary reported reasons for interest were to improve side effects of cancer treatments (76%) and to alleviate cancer symptom burden (71%). 19% of non-cannabis users did not feel comfortable asking their oncologist about cannabis use.
Conclusion: There is interest in cannabis use with oncology treatment and symptom management among the adult oncology population. Some patients may seek information about cannabis via the internet and media rather than health professionals. Treating health professionals need to be proactive in having discussions regarding cannabis use with their patients to avoid misinformation, ensure safety and improve care delivery.
Presenters
Authors
Authors
Dr Lara Eldering - St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010; Australia. University of Notre Dame Australia, NSW 2010; Australia , Dr Isabelle Kiew - St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010; Australia , Dr Wei Lee - St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010; Australia. University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031; Australia. University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007; Australia. HammondCare, Sydney, NSW 2065; Australia. University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006 , Dr Davinia Seah - St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010; Australia. University of Notre Dame Australia, NSW 2010; Australia. University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031; Australia. University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007; Australia. Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010; Australia. , Clinical Professor Richard Chye - St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010; Australia. University of Notre Dame Australia, NSW 2010; Australia. University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031; Australia. University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007; Australia.
